Youngstown Fire Department opens stations for public to look and learn

Youngstown firefighters will take a break from the daily routine of a firefighter’s life to spend time with the community Sunday.

Fire Station No. 1 downtown and Station No. 2 on West Indianola Avenue will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in observance of fire prevention month.

The theme for the open houses is “to know two ways out” of any structure. Marcia Harris, chief inspector, said the two-ways-out theme and other safety measures will be emphasized at the event.

“October is Fire Prevention Month, and so we set that month aside to make sure we get the message out to the community,” she said. “Anywhere you are, you should at least look around and have a plan to get out.”

Harris said the day will be informative, but organizers also are looking to make it fun with smoke-detector giveaways, raffles for fire safety and protective equipment as well as refreshments. Children will have the opportunity to see all fire equipment up close, and fun items such as coloring books will be available.

Beginning at 11 a.m., an automobile extrication demonstration at the downtown station will allow firefighters to show what it takes to remove someone from a car in an emergency.

Firefighters, beginning at 2 p.m., also will have a demonstration at the West Indianola Avenue station. Firefighters at that location will conduct a rescue simulation from a second-story structure.

Harris said past attendance at similar events has been low, but the department is hoping to see at least 50 people at each fire station.

“We hope people take away the message of safety and fire prevention we are trying to get across. We also hope to give knowledge of the work done at the fire department and our interest in the community,” she said.

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